Walgreens recognizes its 75K pharmacists for American Pharmacists Month

With October comes American Pharmacists Month, and Walgreens is kicking off this month by recognizing the more than 75,000 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians for their health-and-wellness work. The chain highlighted the role pharmacy staff plays in providing affordable and convenient access to care through such services as medication therapy management, immunizations, medication adherence work and identifying gaps in care. 

“Walgreens pharmacists understand health care is best when it’s local and personalized, making them an invaluable partner in patient care,” said Richard Ashworth, Walgreens president of operations. “As their scope of services continues to expand, Walgreens pharmacists are there to provide care whenever and however patients need – whether it be through our retail pharmacy locations, our locally-based specialty pharmacies or our 24/7 chat tool. That’s why it’s so important to recognize the commitment and support that our pharmacists provide to their communities every day.”

Walgreens noted that it recently created a new role, Health Outcomes Pharmacist, who are solely dedicated to improving patient outcomes. They foster relationships with community medical professionals and provide high-touch clinical intervention programs to patients that need them. The company is expanding its team of 150 Health Outcomes Pharmacists nationwide after preliminary results showed improved medication adherence and high patient satisfaction levels. 

Walgreens said that throughout October, it also would be honoring female pharmacists, who make up more than 60% of its pharmacist ranks, for National Women Pharmacists Day on Oct. 12. On Oct. 15, it will recognize pharmacy technicians for National Pharmacy Technician Day. 

The company also said that its pharmacist network includes specially trained pharmacist working in its more than 300 community-based specialty pharmacies, as well as support staff and pharmacists who work to help patients through call center support and the 24/7 Pharmacist Chat tool that is available through Walgreens’ website and mobile app.